You just can't turn on major ship manufacturing in an emergency. Either we continue to build ships, major capitol ships, or we don't. If the Chi-coms build them then we HAVE to build them. So yes, to the non-stretegic thinker it may appear to be a waste. If you know history, it is the smartest thing we can do as a nation. Don't ask Ron, ask the Chicoms if it is good idea to stop making major investments in infrastructure to support major military hardware and see what kind of answer you get. While you're at it, ask the Japanese the same question.
Exactly!!! There are pork barrel projects but you are spot-on (and Ron Paul off the reservation) that the infrastructure needs to be in constant production as necessary to keep an edge.
Also I have no clue what the general said before or after this quote so it is absolutely disingenious of Paul to claim this an example of defense for-$-only.